Gardner woman killed in Westminster crash worked in Lunenburg schools

Thursday

Dec 13, 2012 at 7:00 PMDec 13, 2012 at 7:53 PM

By Paula J. Owen TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Friends and neighbors are shocked and saddened by the death of Elisabeth M. Estrada-Turner, a tutor in the Lunenburg schools, after the car she was driving collided head-on with a pickup truck shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The 27-year-old had gotten married last spring, said a close friend and neighbor, Sarah E. Bourque.

Ms. Estrada-Turner, 27 Meadowbrook Lane, was pronounced dead at Heywood Hospital. Her 9-year-old daughter, a passenger in the car, was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester. Her condition was not available tonight.

The driver of the truck, Frank Rosa of Jamestown, R.I., and Ryan Rosa, his son and passenger, were taken to Heywood Hospital. Their conditions were not immediately available.

“She was one of the kindest people I ever met,” Mrs. Bourque said through tears today. Her two sons, ages 3 and 6, often played with Ms. Estrada-Turner’s daughter outside at their home in the Meadowbrook Village apartments. “She was just married this past spring and was so happy and bubbly. Her daughter meant everything to her. Her daughter is the sweetest, gentlest girl I’ve ever met.”

Her husband, Greg J. Bourque, said his wife kept trying to text Ms. Estrada-Turner around the time of the accident, but wasn’t getting a response.

“She was trying to get in touch with her and couldn’t,” Mr. Bourque said. “She usually texts her right back. That is when I started looking (at newspaper sites online).” He said he found a news article about the accident just as his wife was getting home.

“We just couldn’t believe it,” Mr. Bourque said. “All the kids play together outside here. Her daughter is very nice and friendly and always happy and smiling.”

“She would have done anything for the people she cared about or even people she didn’t know,” Mrs. Bourque said. “She was really an amazing, beautiful person.”

Lunenburg School Superintendent Loxi Jo Calmes said grief counselors were in Lunenburg schools today to assist students and staff.

“The Lunenburg school community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Elisabeth Estrada-Turner,” Ms. Calmes wrote in a statement. “Ms. Estrada-Turner, who was employed as a tutor since 2008, will be remembered by her colleagues for her dedication to the students she served, as well as for her caring manner and warm smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Estrada-Turner’s family during this difficult time.”

Neighbor Louise M. Russell, whose 7-year-old daughter Isabella E. Russell played dolls and tea party with Ms. Estrada-Turner’s daughter, said she and her daughter were very close.

“She’s a really friendly and outgoing girl,” Mrs. Russell said. “We found out yesterday. It is so shocking.”

The accident, which occurred at Route 140 and Betty Spring Road, is under investigation, according to the Worcester district attorney’s office.

Police are seeking a possible witness who was driving a small dark car that pulled out of Betty Spring Road and headed north on Route 140 around the time of the crash. Anyone with information should call police at (978) 874-2933.